Alumni News | Thunderbird

05/06/26

Thunderbird at ASU grad finds deep connections between education and heritage

Jess Oldham’s roots are steadfast. Originally from the Navajo Nation and spending much of his upbringing in Wyoming, his life was shaped early on by his heritage and the unique rhythms of agriculture communities.

Both have taught him a great deal about what is at stake when opportunity does not arrive on its own.

When he learned about Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University, he also found the SHARE Fellowship program and received support through the Persons Scholarship — established by alumnus Tom H. Persons to expand the program’s support and ensure funding for Native American SHARE Fellows. There, he saw a special alignment between a school’s values and his own.

“For my people, education is the great equalizer,” Oldham said. “Despite my deep ties to home, I knew Thunderbird was the best step forward, not only to grow myself, but to help grow my community and create meaningful change.”

At Thunderbird, he pursued a Master of Global Management with a concentration in global business. As a Navajo student, he also found that the T-bird identity carried a meaning most of his classmates could not have anticipated.

As he graduates this spring, Oldham leaves with a clear sense of what his education was for, and how his past and present can shape his future as a global leader.

“The Thunderbird emblem holds a cultural significance for me, one of strength and power. I love that I can embody that with purpose and authenticity, while connecting with people across the world and growing as a leader while staying rooted in my heritage,” he said.

Question: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?

Answer: I would start by addressing the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Children crisis across Indigenous communities. This is deeply personal and long overdue for real attention, accountability and resources. I would invest in community-based safety systems, data infrastructure and advocacy efforts led by Indigenous people, because too often communities like mine are expected to solve urgent problems without the support we need.

From there, I would focus on reducing food insecurity in underserved communities by strengthening local food systems and access. These are not just priorities tied to a hypothetical investment, they are issues I am committed to working on and hope to continue advancing throughout my career, with or without $40 million.

Q: What advice would you give to a student just starting a program at Thunderbird?

A: Don’t be afraid to say yes more than you say no. You came here for a reason, so act like it. Meet people on purpose. Learn names, ask questions and follow up. Your network is your real degree from Thunderbird. From day one, think about the story you’re building and be open to exploring who you are. Some people just drift through grad school. Don’t drift. Decide who you want to be when you leave Thunderbird, and start being that person now.

Q: For what do you feel most grateful?

A: I’m most grateful for my family, friends and community. I’m a living reflection of their hard work, sacrifice and belief in me. Everything I’m building stands on the foundation they gave me. I know I can never thank them enough, so I carry that gratitude as a responsibility and strive to make the most of my life and do the same for others.

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05/04/26

Thunderbird at ASU grad finds voice on TEDx stage

Torres Mejía stood on the TEDx MissionParkRanch stage delivering her first public talk in English, something she had never done before.

Months earlier, the idea alone felt intimidating.

But when her Thunderbird Career Coach Glen Loveland encouraged her to apply and connected her with the event’s organizers, Torres Mejía took the leap. The selection process took about four months, followed by three additional months of intense preparation.

To prepare, she committed herself to the experience, which is something that would define her time at Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University.

“No matter how demanding my schedule was, I practiced every day. I would rehearse late at night, recording myself on my phone, and improving continuously until I felt truly confident,” she said.

For Torres Mejía, who grew up in Bucaramanga, Colombia, that moment onstage reflected years of persistence.

Long before Thunderbird, she launched her bottled water company, VIOX, with no external resources in a highly competitive and concentrated market. Through product innovation that involved enhancing the water with higher oxygen levels, as well as utilizing a differentiated business model, she carved out space in an industry with thin margins. Eventually, she scaled the company nationally, attracting investors and building strong customer loyalty.

“In the talk, I was able to share my 13-year experience as an entrepreneur. TEDx became a moment where everything came together — my story, my struggles and the lessons I learned along the way,” she said.

Her story continued to evolve at Thunderbird, where she pursued a Master of Global Management with a concentration in data science, which was a specialty she embarked on without a technical background. Now, she hopes to continue work in this field.

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05/04/26

Thunderbird at ASU grad transforms global roots into leadership strength

Before she ever called herself a T-bird, Dayoon Kim was already living across cultures.

Born in Japan to South Korean parents, she spent her childhood moving between countries and stepping into new environments long before she understood what “global citizen” meant.

At 13, she became an international student in Washington state, beginning a journey that would later take her to Arizona for her undergraduate studies at Grand Canyon University and eventually to the Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University for her Master of Global Management with a concentration in global business.

“I realized that my upbringing shaped me to be deeply curious and enthusiastic about connecting cultures, and I wanted to become a bridge between communities and businesses,” she said.

When she met a Thunderbird alumnus who described the school as a “miniature globe,” her passions found a place. For Kim, it felt like a natural next step in becoming the kind of global leader she hoped to be.

She also found a place to hone her voice.

“I came to Thunderbird as someone who would never raise my hand in class,” she said. “I’d shake during presentations, especially as one of the few students with a Korean accent throughout my earlier education.”

That changed quickly. Kim took on executive roles across the school, becoming president of the Thunderbird Campus Ambassadors, the vice president of the Case Scholars Club, and a Foundations leader for Thunderbird’s new student orientation, twice.

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04/28/26

Thunderbird at ASU grad brings global vision to the future of education

Anitah Murungi will tell you that everything comes down to positioning.

“In business, it is about identifying a need and positioning yourself to provide solutions,” she said. “When that idea is clear, there is so much that can be achieved.”

Anitah Murungi at the fall 2025 Regional Night Celebration of the Asia region.

It is a framework she arrived at back home in Rwanda, watching her country work to claim its place on the global stage after everything it had endured. This personal purpose has continued to guide her, and it's what brought her to Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University.

The decision to pursue a Master of Global Management was easy.

“Thunderbird’s charter of bringing the world together did not feel like marketing,” she said. “It felt like a promise that I could study business without sacrificing my identity or worrying about belonging.”

During her time in the program, Murungi put that mission to work. As an AI innovation intern with the ASU AI Acceleration team, she helped institutions adopt emerging technologies. She also took on a leadership role in Thunderbird's Africa Business Club, building community and connection around the continent she calls home.

Her most personal contribution, however, may be the work she did with ASU SolarSPELL. The initiative — a solar-powered offline digital library that brings educational resources to communities without reliable internet access — operates in 16 regions globally and was named one of TIME's Best Inventions of 2025. The device generates its own WiFi hot spot, allowing any smartphone, tablet or laptop to connect freely without data or electricity.

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04/28/26

Thunderbird at ASU grad spends lifetime seeing world, plans to change it for the better

By the time Crystal Tan was 15, she had lived across Europe and Asia and visited 51 countries. The world had been her classroom long before college.

"I wanted a university experience that reflected that part of me," she said.

Ultimately, this global upbringing led her to Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University, where she pursued a Bachelor of Global Management.

"I chose to enroll because I wanted an education that would help me understand how to lead and build across cultures,” she said. “It felt like a place where my background would be valued."

Through student leadership, campus work and the everyday activities of Thunderbird life, Tan placed herself in situations that required her to adapt quickly and take ownership. Her goals grew more intentional as a result.

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04/27/26

Thunderbird at ASU grad seeks to redefine global systems for emerging economies

For Jackline Nampeera, the path to Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University initially began with a thoughtful question.

How do global systems actually work, and who gets left out of them?

Growing up in Kabale District, Uganda, Nampeera already had developed deep international exposure through her work and travel, but she wanted more.

“I hoped to understand how global systems actually work, how capital flows, how markets connect and how to position emerging economies like Uganda within those systems. Thunderbird gave me that lens,” she said.

While pursuing her Master of Global Management at Thunderbird, Nampeera found both the framework and the challenge she was looking for. A recipient of the prestigious SHARE Fellowship, she describes her experience as transformative but intentionally demanding.

Jackline Nampeera, courtesy photo

“There were moments I had to perform before I felt ready,” she said. “But that’s where the growth happened. Thunderbird doesn’t give you confidence. Rather, you build it by doing the work.”

Beyond the classroom, Nampeera found meaning in her work with students at Thunderbird's Career Management Center, where she supported peers as they navigated uncertainty and career decisions.

“I’ve seen people walk in unsure and leave with confidence,” she said. “It reminded me that impact isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s helping one person move forward in a way that changes everything for them.”

As she prepares to graduate, Nampeera is focused on building a venture that addresses key access gaps in East Africa — particularly in markets and essential services to support sustainable business development.

“The issue is beyond production. It is more about access and positioning,” she said. “Farmers are producing value but not capturing it. I would build systems that connect them directly to markets, improve quality standards, and give them leverage in the value chain. That’s how you create sustainable economic growth.”

Question: What’s something you learned while at Thunderbird that changed your perspective?

Answer: Execution alone doesn’t drive outcomes, but influence does. I came in very analytical. If something made logic or sense on paper, I expected it to move forward. But I’ve learned that ideas don’t win because they’re right, they win because someone can move people behind them.

That shifted how I operate. Now I focus just as much on how I communicate and position ideas as I do on the ideas themselves.

Q: What advice would you give to a student just starting at Thunderbird?

A: Don’t wait until you feel ready — because you won’t. Step in early, speak up and take on challenges that stretch you.

Q: What motivates or inspires you?

A: What motivates me is accountability. I know the opportunities I’ve had are not common, and that drives me to build things that matter for the communities I come from.

Q: For what in your life do you feel most grateful?

A: I’m grateful for the perspective I’ve gained. Moving between Uganda and global institutions like Thunderbird has expanded how I see what’s possible, and I carry that into everything I do.

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03/26/26

T-bird alum paves way for sustainable development in Florence, Arizona

When Sophie Dessart enrolled at Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University, a career in mining was the last thing she imagined. But today she leads public affairs and community engagement for Florence Copper, a leading in situ copper recovery operation in Florence, Arizona.

Her journey from business consulting to corporate communications reflects both a professional evolution and a deep connection to community.

While studying at Thunderbird, Dessart worked with Global External, a consulting firm specializing in external affairs for the mining industry. After graduating in May 2022 with a Master of Global Management (global business and global affairs), she continued her position at the firm, helping clients shape communication strategies and stakeholder engagement programs.

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12/08/25

Thunderbird at ASU grad turns family legacy into global journey

Growing up in a family full of T-birds — or what Anna Laine calls a “Thunderfamily” — the Thunderbird School of Global Management at ASU student jokes that the question “Where are you from?” is nearly impossible to answer.

Born in the United States, raised across Europe and multiple states, and holding dual citizenship in Finland and the U.S., Lain's identity reflects the global spirit that defines Thunderbird.

Laine grew up watching the lifelong friendships her parents formed at the school, and she knew she wanted to experience that same connection. The “Thunderbird Mystique,” as she describes it, was something she witnessed firsthand, woven into her own family’s story. Coming to Thunderbird, she says, felt less like a choice and more like the continuation of a legacy.

During her time in the Master of Global Management (MGM) program, Laine embraced every opportunity. From club events to pub nights to serving as a teaching assistant, to even hosting a panel on AI and innovation at the Embassy of Finland in Washington, D.C., her Thunderbird experience has been filled with curiosity and courage.

“The reason I felt comfortable hosting, planning and moderating that panel was because of Thunderbird!” she said. “AI used to intimidate me but, coming to Thunderbird, I learned how to use it as a tool. I love that Thunderbird teaches us not to be scared of innovation and change.”

Now, this fall, Laine is graduating with plans to gain experience in a traditional career role while also building her entrepreneurial dream: a nordic wellness center and “sauna empire.” She says her motivations are rooted deeply in family, community and the future she’s determined to build. Above all, she says she's grateful for the rare gift of waking up each day excited to learn at a place she loves.

“I was definitely meant to come to Thunderbird. I have grown and learned so much and have built an incredible community that will last a lifetime,” she said.

Read the below Q&A to learn more about Laine's Thunderbird journey and plans for the future.

Note: Answers may have been edited lightly for length and/or clarity.

Question: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?

Answer: One of my biggest goals in life is to give back to the community. There are lots of problems I would like to tackle, but I think the biggest one is the climate crisis we are in right now. That, and helping everyone have basic food and shelter and to end homelessness. I know all of these can be done; it just needs the right people with the right resources.

Q: Which professor taught you the most important lesson while at Thunderbird?

A: Professor Susan Harmeling. I had the pleasure of being in two of her classes this year, and she ends each class with 30 life lessons. Each of those lessons are something I now implement into my daily life. Professor Sy also taught me so much as I was her teaching assistant for two years! She has taught me that you can find joy and fun in the little things while also making an impact.

Q: What advice would you give to a student just starting a program at Thunderbird?

A: Speak to alumni or those in the cohort above you. They have insider knowledge and tips and tricks to survive. But also, get involved! Being involved truly made my experience and gave me the community that I came to Thunderbird for.

Q: What motivates or inspires you?

A: My family and my future! Everything I do is so that I can build myself the future that my parents helped set me up for and also give back to my family and my community. Helping people is one of my greatest passions!

Also, my mom. She is one of the coolest people I know and is such an inspiration, especially as a woman in leadership. I am so grateful for her and my dad for always supporting me and putting up with my spontaneous decisions and indecisiveness. My mom will be speaking at my graduation and that is just so special, and a moment my family and I will always remember.

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12/03/25

Thunderbird alum and Boeing executive Maria Laine to keynote school's fall 2025 convocation

Maria Laine, a 1993 graduate of the Thunderbird School of Global Management’s Master of International Management program, has been selected to deliver the keynote address at the school’s fall 2025 convocation.

With a career spanning more than three decades at Boeing, Laine serves as the head of business capture and operations for Boeing Defense, Space and Security in Washington, D.C. In this role, she leads a multibillion-dollar portfolio of strategic proposal development for U.S. government and international defense programs, oversees campaign and competitive analysis, and guides financial management, business operations, and workforce training and development initiatives.

Prior to her current role, she was based in London as president of Boeing United Kingdom, Ireland, and the Nordics — overseeing one of Boeing’s largest international markets outside of the United States.

Laine has also demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing global industry and transatlantic collaboration through extensive nonprofit board service. She has served on the board of trustees for the Whitehall & Industry Group and on the International Advisory Board of British-American Business, both based in London. Previously, she chaired the Board of the Global Industrial Cooperation Association and served on the Board of the American Chamber of Commerce in Denmark.

Born in Helsinki, Finland, Laine’s global perspective took shape early. At 6 months old, she moved with her family to Stockholm, Sweden, before relocating to the United States at age 7. Over the course of her life, she has moved across the Atlantic more than 10 times, living in Finland, Sweden, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and across every U.S. time zone from Florida to California. Her native languages include Finnish, Swedish and English, and she has studied French, Spanish and Dutch.

“Having to learn three languages by the age of 7 and navigating major global moves during my formative years made me realize I wanted to do something global,” Laine said.

That desire led her to pursue a degree in political science and international relations at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and later to a position at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration.

It was there she discovered that her true interests lay in industry and global business rather than government work — a realization that guided her next step: earning a master’s degree at Thunderbird.

Thunderbird’s lasting influence

During her time at Thunderbird, Laine participated in the school’s exchange program with the Helsinki School of Economics, a partnership that would profoundly shape her career trajectory. While in Finland, she learned of a historic defense deal between the U.S. and Finnish governments for the sale of 64 F/A-18 fighter jets. Around the same time, a guest lecturer from McDonnell Douglas — now part of Boeing — visited Thunderbird to speak about offset and industrial participation, a highly specialized area of aerospace and defense contracting.

“I introduced myself after the lecture and told him I would be in Finland when the selection decision was made,” she said. “They told me to keep my eyes and ears open — they’d be needing someone with exactly my background. Sure enough, that’s exactly what happened.”

That combination of Thunderbird’s unique global curriculum, her cross-cultural experience and the strength of the school’s alumni network gave Laine a competitive edge. Before graduation, she was offered a position with McDonnell Douglas working on the F/A-18 industrial participation program — a role that would mark the beginning of a 32-year career with Boeing.

“The fact that Thunderbird even offered a course on offset and industrial participation — a niche topic that no other MBA program would have considered — was a competitive discriminator in my interview,” Laine said. “Thunderbird set me up perfectly for everything that was to come in my professional life.”

A global mindset for a changing world

For Laine, Thunderbird’s commitment to cultivating a global mindset remains as essential today as it was when she first arrived on campus.

“If everyone in the world had a Thunderbird global mindset, the world would be a better place,” she said. “Higher education has a critical role to play in advancing that mindset — especially amid today’s geopolitical challenges — and Thunderbird continues to be uniquely positioned in that regard.”

As she prepares to return to campus as a convocation keynote speaker, Laine offers heartfelt advice to the next generation of global leaders: “Work hard, never give up, and find your north star to stay focused on. Remember that experiential learning is key to building the foundations that will eventually get you to that goal. And above all, be kind, be respectful, and maintain a positive attitude. Those traits will serve you well for a lifetime.”

This year’s convocation holds special meaning for Laine, who will share the stage with her daughter, Anna Laine, as she graduates from Thunderbird’s flagship Master of Global Management program. It’s a moment that reflects the deep Thunderbird roots within the Laine family.

Laine also met her husband, Pekka, another Finnish T-bird, during Thunderbird’s exchange program in Helsinki, Finland. The two graduated together, built global careers and raised a family grounded in Thunderbird’s values and spirit. Not only has their oldest daughter, affectionately known as their “Baby Bird,” followed in their footsteps, but Laine’s sister, Minna Rauhala, is also a proud Thunderbird alum.

“Maria represents the heart of Thunderbird — a global leader who leads with purpose, humility and a passion for building a better world,” said Charla Griffy-Brown, director general and dean of Thunderbird. “Her journey reflects the powerful foundation that a Thunderbird education provides, and the strength of our community that continues across generations. We are thrilled to welcome her home and to celebrate this milestone alongside her family.”

As Thunderbird prepares to celebrate its fall 2025 convocation, the occasion highlights a remarkable legacy — one that spans continents, generations and careers united by a shared commitment. The Laine family’s generous gift to fund the installation of the “Finland” window inside the Pub at Thunderbird further honors that bond, serving as a lasting tribute to their connection to the school while advancing student scholarships and opportunities for future T-birds.

“I am so incredibly grateful for both the life and career journey I have had, and Thunderbird played a key role in that,” Laine said. “Life has truly come full circle. We are a Thunderbird family through and through. We’ve stayed close with many friends from Thunderbird, and we’ll always support the mission — because the world needs more T-birds.”

Read more about Thunderbird alum and Boeing executive Maria Laine to keynote school's fall 2025 convocation

11/03/25

T-birds team up to propel sustainability and innovation at Messer Americas

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